Wichita eagle., 1887-04-24
BIG BOOM IN KANSAS LOTS.
They Bought by the Acre and are Selling
Out by the Foot Front.

BIG BOOM IN KANSAS LOTS.
They Bought by the Acre and are Selling
Out by the Foot Front.
New York Sun.
WICHITA, Kan, April 13.-That there
are romaHces in corner lots and acre prop.
erty, as we'll as in many other things, is
proved by the stories that they tell of the
real estate boom in this city, which has
been of late most remarkable movement
Chiefly speculative. the operations are
nevertheless 80 mixed with and fortified by
legitimate deals, and the growth Of the city
is so unmistakable, that there is less reason
to scout the wonderful confidence of the
people than is to be found in most of the
western towns, where land gambling has
sprung into a sudden and almost uneon-
trollable rage.
A year and half ago Thomas Fellows,
an industrious mechanic, who had been
here but a few months and had been car
ried away by the reports received from a
relative who was mining for gold in the
lower d'Alene district of Idaho, concluded
to 60 to that far away region in search of
fortune. His wife opposed his venture,
but he was determined and nothing could
suade him. Before leaving he placed
mortgage of $500 on his place, which was
a small house situated on about an acre Of
ground near town, tract which he had
bought on his arrival here for $500. He
was anxious to sell the property. but his
wife objected and at last carried her point.
After he had been in the gold country a
few months there came tidings of disap-
pointrnent and loss. He had been sick, the
climate was severe. his expenses were
heavy, and instead of being able to send
his family money it was necessary on more
than one occasion for the self sacrificing |
wife to forward him such small sums rs
she could spare or borrow For a few |
weeks it seemed as though both sections of |
the family would be involved in hopeless |
ruin, and the poor wife nearly worried her
self sick with apprehension. At length |
there came respondent letter from Eel
lows acknowledging the abandonment |
of all his hopes and appealing to his wife |
to sell their property in order to
secure money enough to bring !
him home This missive came to hand |
soon after the prices of real estate in this |
vicinity began to soar. Mrs Fellows con-
suited friends. and fortunately was not
misled as many holders have been. They
told that her land was doubling in value |
every day and that she ought not to part |
with it under any circumstances.
What money she needed she was sup |
piled with, and the sum required to bring |
her husband home was advanced to her. |
He reached here about six weeks ago in |
pitiable condition, pale, weak, ragged, |
crestfalen, homesick, despairing; imagin- |
ing that he and his family were paupers. |
and hardly daring to look for his wife and
children in the place where he left them,
and which he supposed was sold or lost |
The meeting between the long separated
couple was very touching, and when the
situation had been fully can
vassed Fellows discovered that in
stead of being beggar he was bet
Ter off than he bad ever been before in his
life. Land sill around him was selling at |
what seemed to be fabulous prices, and he |
speedily became an object of great interest |
to investors who were anxious to gain pos |
session of bis tract.
On the advice OF friends he sold one lot |
for enough to pay his debts. Later on he
disposed of another, with the proceeds Of !
which he fitted I'D himself and family. New !
he has sold all of his acre except two lots |
on which he is building himself a handsome |
house, using the old one for barn. and he |
has money in the bank besides. He il |
quiet and sensible person. and said today, |
10 speaking Of his remarkable turn Of for
tune:
II had no idea when left here that my |
gold mine would be found here in this acre /
lot"
Old Henry Virgins is now familiar
sight on the streets of Wichita He sports |
4 diamond a. big - his thumb nail. wears /
a watch chain that weighs pound and has |
several pairs Of gorgcously checked and |
striped trousers. He used TO be in the en- |
ploy Of q St. Louis furniture house and |
once or twice q year made trips through |
various frontier towns for the purpose OF /
drumming Nd business. In Wichita he /
sold bill Of goods 70 . ny by night frm,
and as security far the notes given sccep.-d |
. mortgage on eixsy scres OF land lying |
sbo.t . mile and quarter west Of town. In |
the course time It was discovered that The |
furniture dealers had sold their stock and |
LEI, the country, and old Henry employers !
then became convinced that he had shown |
very poor hnsuclerinx 10 t.kvg mortgage /
on property which wasn't worth aquar;er |
~ much a the furniture be had sold.
Times being rather hard just then. and
the 81. Louisssps coming 70 The conclusion
tina, Henry had survived his usefulness.
they discharged him and surrendered 10
him the mortgage in leu Of some back pay |
which was due him The old nan OBJ |
tected q se,,ie st frst. but rather than |
have any upubIs he finally coEeurrsd In II.
and naturally dr,fsed 70 Wichita. where IN
the oour,e of s;me he bought In the lane al |
mortgage sale. and vsni 70 work 1t -
month In . grocery s,ore. his dea being |
,hst ~ stou - be could raise fs,le money |
hs vosld build him house. gse married
a.l 10 % farming. Win IL boom
ssxuck TIE toun Hsssy miIs1 81 waissd- |
IT, spoculesoes IA . deea sailyoo6s. swo
o. shrss roaiiae nili4 . egphan aeylu1.
: an6hs1s.l an1 asssEal - - -